La. deputy shot in the head dies from injuries

Cpl. J.R. Searcy had a bullet lodged in his brain and another in the back of his skull

MONROE, La. — A Ouachita Parish sheriff's deputy died after being shot in the head last week on duty, WAFB.com reports.

Cpl. J. R. Searcy, 33, was on life support after being shot twice in the head. The bullets were lodged at the back of his skull and in his brain.

The shooting suspect, Michael Tanner, was being arrested for aggravated assault when he opened fire on Searcy. Tanner was shot dead by Searcy's partner soon after opening fire.

Searcy was an eight-year veteran of the force, and well-respected in his community. According to the News Star, Ouachita Parish Sheriff Royce Toney spent most of Thursday night and Friday morning at the hospital. As he walked out of the hospital, many community members and other officers stopped him to offer support, some with voices choked with emotion.

"I know all these people," said Alan McDonald, a former corrections officer, in a conversation with the News Star. "My heart went out to them. I'm really concerned about these officers. They do a heck of a job. I'm really distraught."

Toney described Searcy "as one of our best K-9 deputies. He was between dogs. He is a great deputy."